News

Massachusetts man charged with attacking ex-wife with ax

NORFOLK, Mass. — A 71-year-old Massachusetts man who police say tried to kill his ex-wife with an ax and set her house on fire has been held without bail and ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation.

Not guilty pleas to charges including attempted murder and arson were entered on behalf of Allen Stotts at his arraignment Thursday in Wrentham District Court.

Police responded to the woman's Norfolk home at about 4:15 p.m. Wednesday after getting frantic 911 calls from the alleged victim saying she was locked in the bathroom, her ex-husband was trying to kill and her and the house was on fire.

She was not physically injured.

Police say Stotts was arrested in the home's driveway holding an ax.

Stotts was sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for a mental health evaluation and is being held without bail until a dangerousness hearing next month.